Incomplete glucose breakdown that occurs during anaerobic metabolism can cause a byproduct called?

During anaerobic metabolism, glucose is not fully broken down due to the absence of oxygen. This limited breakdown leads to a different metabolic pathway than aerobic respiration, resulting in the production of lactic acid as a byproduct.

In the absence of sufficient oxygen, the body converts pyruvate—produced during glycolysis—into lactic acid to regenerate NAD+, which is necessary for glycolysis to continue. This process allows for the continuation of energy production, although it is less efficient than aerobic metabolism. The accumulation of lactic acid in muscles can lead to fatigue and discomfort, often experienced during intense exercise. Recovery involves the conversion of lactic acid back into glucose when oxygen becomes available again.

In contrast, carbon dioxide is a byproduct of aerobic metabolism, acetic acid does not directly relate to glucose metabolism in this context, and pyruvate is an intermediate product that can either be converted to lactic acid or further processed in aerobic metabolism. Hence, lactic acid is the correct answer as it specifically addresses the byproduct of incomplete glucose breakdown during anaerobic conditions.